It was a busy Christmas Eve full of Kassel Family traditions. We began the day by saying goodbye to Chippy, our Elf on the Shelf. He returns to the North Pole tonight. Santa made sure to lift Chippy’s magic for just a few minutes so that the kids could hug him goodbye.
Grandpa Ken and Grandma Marilyn arrived just a little after 1 pm to spend Christmas with us. Then, it was time to cook! Laura and I made a Pecan Pie (my first one ever!) and I made the Night Before Christmas Casserole for Christmas morning breakfast. Of course, we also made Reindeer Food. This is an important part of Christmas Eve. The oats provide food for Santa’s Reindeer and the glitter makes sure that the Reindeer have enough magic to get through the night.
Since Santa has to land in our driveway because we don’t have a chimney, the kids always spread the Reindeer Food on the driveway.
Then, Andy reads “The Night Before Christmas.”
This year we decided to go to the Magic Tree. The kids thought it was fun that they got to go in their pajamas and robes!
Then, it was time for Christmas Eve services at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Once we got home, we set out cookies and milk for Santa. The kids left three cookies this year!
I put the kids to bed and then settled down to read a little bit. Shortly before midnight, I heard some noises in our family room… I raced downstairs, but the cookies were mostly eaten and the milk was all but gone by the time I got down there.
I knew Santa had arrived because our stockings were stuffed and presents for Laura and John were by the Christmas tree.
Santa Claus had come and gone!